Batting

How it Happened Rhode Island (9-31, 6-13 Atlantic 10) split two games with St. Bonaventure Saturday, blanking the Bonnies 2-0 in the opener behind the first career shutout for Sarah Gunderson. In the second game, one rough inning did the Rams in, as St. Bonaventure (12-34, 2-14 A-10) scored four times and then clung to a one-run lead en route to a 4-3 victory.
Game 1 – Rhode Island 2, St. Bonaventure 0Sarah Gunderson was masterful for the Rams in the opener, blanking the Bonnies on just four hits. Only one runner even got as far as second base, and that came on a two-out double by Desiree Gonzalez in the top of the third inning. Gunderson finished strong, retiring seven of the final eight batters she faced.

Kylie Shivery provided all the run support Gunderson needed with a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the third inning. Marylynn Muldowney started the frame off with a single and advanced when Caileigh Holland followed with a single of her own. Both moved into scoring position when they tagged up on a foul out to right field by Jenna Cubello, setting up Shivery's key hit.

Game 2 – St. Bonaventure 4, Rhode Island 3 Rhody got off to a fast start in the second game, scoring twice in the bottom of the first inning. After a double by Ali Summers, Kylie Shivery lined a two-out home run to right center, giving the Rams an early lead. An inning later, Rachel Kuhlman made it 3-0 when she drilled a two-out double to the gap in right center, driving in Paige Julich, who had walked to start the inning.

However, St. Bonaventure took advantage of three walks in the top of the third to manufacture a four-run inning. Two walks and a single loaded the bases with one out, and the Bonnies got on the board when a Morgan Phillips fielder's choice brought in Desiree Gonzalez. Another walk reloaded the bases, and McKenna Holtz launched a base-clearing double to left center to put St. Bonaventure up, 4-3.

Despite getting runners on base in the third, fourth, fifth and seventh innings, Rhode Island was unable to scratch out any more runs. In the bottom of the seventh, with Marylynn Muldowney on second, Shivery smacked a line drive to the right side that was caught by Alexandra Piergustavo at first base. Piergustavo lunged to her right to make the slick backhand stab. Erika Yeager followed with a hard line drive of her own, but it was caught by Kiera Lorenzo at second base to end the game.

Inside the Box Scores

With four more runs batted in Saturday, junior Kylie Shivery moved into sixth place in program history. She now has 78 for her career and is just the fifth Rhody player with two or more seasons with at least 25 RBI.

Shivery also moved into eighth place in team history with her 12th career home run.

Freshman Sarah Gunderson (4-12) won for the second straight start, hurling her first career shutout. She has allowed just four earned runs in her last 20.2 innings of work, and she has thrown three consecutive complete games.

Sophomore Julia Waraksy pitched three scoreless innings of relief in the second game.

Senior Marylynn Muldowney matched her season high with three hits in the second game. She also walked once and scored once on the day.

Freshman Erika Yeager reached base safely five times in seven plate appearances Saturday. She singled twice, walked twice and was hit by a pitch.

Junior Rachel Kuhlman had an RBI double in the second game and also threw out a would-be base stealer from behind the plate.

Stat of the Day52 – The shutout by Sarah Gunderson was the first for the Rhode Island pitching staff in 52 games, dating back to a 1-0 victory over George Washington on April 19 last season.